Popular errors, in generall poynts concerning the knowledge of religion having relation to their causes, and reduced into divers observations / by Jean D'Espaigne.

CHAP. 12. Of certain cases of Conscience which are not as yet resolved.

NOR is it sufficient to reply, that there is certain problemes in divers cases, which look unto the practick, which are not as yet resolved by the most learned, they put the case that a man falling into the hands of thieves is constrained for re∣demption of his life, to sweare a perpetu∣all silence, and to assure them as much as lies in him, of impunity. Whether this promise may be accomplished without of∣fence or infringed without crime, it is a point which hath not yet been resolved the reasons are so prevalent on either side. Also they dispute, whether a Christian being imprisoned for the faith of the Gospell

may in conscience seek means to escape & come out of the dungeon by breaking of the dores, or by using some other subtilty. Many maintain the negative, and qualifie this evasion, shamefull to the Christian profession, and repugnant to the order of justice. Others esteem it lawfull, and hold that the meanes conducing to our deliver∣ance cannot be despised without tempting God. It hath happened that two being of a contrary Religion, and the Orthodoxall party constrained to abandon his dwelling place, his idolatrous wife refuseth to fol∣low her Christian husband, who asking permission to marry another, the Theolo∣gians were divided and of different opini∣ons in this respect. If there be any thing which ought heretofore to be resolved, it is this case of conscience.

The lending of money upon interest a question which concerns one of the ordi∣nary points of particular commerce a∣mongst men; and notwithstanding it is as yet undecided. For some put no diffe∣rence betwixt a light interest, and that

which the Jewes call biting, it being in∣terdicted by the Law, and others admit it as lawfull in the proportions of equity, as the same Law recommends but the diffi∣culty of a solution takes not away the ne∣cessity and the impossibility of it in some points takes not away from us the search∣ing after others.